1. An early welcome: National League manager Dave Roberts gave Nationals ace Max Scherzer the ball to start the game and the fans loved it. They enjoyed it so much they actually gave Scherzer a standing ovation before the game even started. They cheered him for a solid minute when he was walking out to warm up for his start. With the All-Star game, it's easy to say this guy, or this guy should have started, but the cool thing about it now is that it really doesn't matter and home town teams can get these moments without someone questioning whether it affected a league's chances to get home-field advantage.

2. Jose Altuve's first hit: One of the best hitters in baseball came into the night 0 for 8 in All-Star Games. He almost looked like he was going to leave his fourth appearance at the classic without a hit as he went 0 for 2 to start the night. But in his third at-bat he finally poked one into right field to tally his first hit in an All-Star game. And while he loved it, his fellow major leaguers loved it even more. Mike Trout hugged him, Matt Kemp gave him a shake of the shoulders, and Manny Machado gave him props. Altuve, though, was sure to cherish the moment. He even asked for the ball.

3. The Clydesdales showed up: OK, this is a silly one, but the Budweiser Clydesdales showed up on the field before the game. It's not often you see that especially in 85 degree weather that is laced with humidity.

4. The field was flooded: Before the game there was a D.C. equivalent of a monsoon. the field was flooded with water and was covered almost 75 percent with H2O. But props to the Nationals. They got it clean and clear and made the field playable. The before and after shots are crazy. These are a mere four hours apart.

5. The Yanks get a hit: One would think that a storied franchise like the Yankees would have gobs of hits in the All-Star game the last four years. One would be wrong. In fact, Aaron Judge's home run off of Scherzer was the first Yankee hit since 2014. Who would have thought?

6. Always coaching: A.J. Hinch joked at Monday's presser that he didn't realize there would be much strategy in the game. He was either clearly kidding or avoiding showing his hand because he employed the shift in the second inning on Brandon Crawford and then left Blake Snell in for a second inning during the middle of the game because two of the next three batters were left-handed. Maybe Hinch wants some more bragging rights over National League manager and friend Dave Roberts?

7. The selfie not heard round the world: Everyone saw Manny Machado take a selfie with Dodgers outfield Matt Kemp in the second inning and then they drew the conclusion that he is all but moving on to Los Angeles in a trade that is likely to be official Wednesday. Almost no one noticed another selfie Machado took as he stood on second base with Braves right fielder Nick Markakis and posed for a pic again. The two were teammates from 2012-2014 in Baltimore. So while the Machado trade to the Dodgers may be a done deal, Machado may not have been posing with Kemp to confirm it.